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United States Patent |
5,764,381
|
Landsman
|
June 9, 1998
|
Internal drum recorder with array imaging
Abstract
An internal drum recorder images a media to a radiation pattern using an
image array, which extends along a primary track, such as a helical track,
and in a direction essentially perpendicular to the primary track. In one
embodiment, the source of radiation is a laser aimed along the
longitudinal axis of the drum, deflected and applied through a light
modifier within a spinner. The light modifier is a device breaking the
single laser beam into a number of sub-beams. Alternately, a number of
laser diodes rotating within a translatable spinner may be used to produce
the image. A gripper bar rotating about the longitudinal axis of the drum
facilitates introducing and removing new sheets into the drum. A focus
detector rotating within the spinneris used to correct the radial distance
to the media surface from the spinner.
Inventors:
|
Landsman; Robert M. (Boynton Beach, FL)
|
Assignee:
|
Scitex Corporation Ltd. (Herzua, IL)
|
Appl. No.:
|
677839 |
Filed:
|
July 10, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: |
358/490; 358/493 |
Intern'l Class: |
G11B 007/00 |
Field of Search: |
358/489-494,296-297
355/210-213,104-111,117
399/116-117,158-159,303
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3816659 | Jun., 1974 | Landsman | 178/7.
|
4262594 | Apr., 1981 | Landsman | 101/389.
|
4334770 | Jun., 1982 | Landsman | 355/104.
|
4362805 | Dec., 1982 | Landsman | 430/200.
|
4423426 | Dec., 1983 | Kitamura | 346/108.
|
4764815 | Aug., 1988 | Landsman | 358/496.
|
4980549 | Dec., 1990 | Baldwin | 250/235.
|
4985779 | Jan., 1991 | Gall | 358/298.
|
4989019 | Jan., 1991 | Loce et al. | 346/108.
|
5502709 | Mar., 1996 | Shinada | 358/493.
|
Primary Examiner: Coles, Sr.; Edward L.
Assistant Examiner: Brinich; Stephen
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lott & Friedland, P.A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for recording an image on a medium, comprising:
a hollow drum means having an internal surface, at least a portion of which
is cylindrical, for holding said medium, said cylindrical portion of said
drum means having a longitudinal axis passing through said center of said
cylindrical portion of said drum means;
a spinner, on a translating mechanism located on said center of said
cylindrical portion of said drum means, which encircles a rail, said
spinner having a radius orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said hollow
drum means;
a plurality of energy beams emanating from said spinner directed at said
medium;
a means for translating said plurality of energy beams in a direction
parallel to said longitudinal axis;
a means, mechanically linked to said translating means, for rotating said
energy beams about said longitudinal axis;
a first energy source for powering said means for translating said
plurality of energy beams in a direction parallel to said longitudinal
axis and for powering said means for rotating said energy beams about said
longitudinal axis; and
a second energy source derived from said first energy source for powering
the source of said energy beams.
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 further including means for
modulating said energy beams in accordance with the image being recorded.
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a means
for creating said second energy source from said rotational motion of said
energy beams.
4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2 further including means for
compensating for the distance traveled by said beams.
5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 further including means for
coupling said second energy source and data to said rotating means.
6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 further including said
translating means translating said energy beams parallel to said
longitudinal axis while said energy beams are rotated.
7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 further including means for
coupling said second energy source to said rotating means.
8. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 further including means for
coupling said second energy source and data to said rotating means.
9. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 further including means for
compensating for the distance traveled by said beams.
10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a means
for creating said second energy source from said rotational motion of said
energy beams.
11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 further including means
for compensating for the distance traveled by said beams.
12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 further including means
for coupling said second energy source and data to said rotating means.
13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a
rotor mechanically affixed to said rotating means, adjacent said source of
said energy beams, and a stator mechanically coupled to said translating
means.
14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13 further including
electrical energy transfer means between said rotor and stator.
15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said electrical
energy transfer means is electromagnetic means and said data transfer
means is by capacitive coupling means.
16. The recording apparatus according to claim 12 further including a rotor
mechanically coupled to said rotating means and a stator mechanically
coupled to said translating means, said energy beams being provided from
said rotor.
17. The recording apparatus according to claim 16 further including
electrical energy transfer means between said rotor and stator.
18. The recording apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said electrical
energy transfer means is electromagnetic means.
19. An apparatus for recording an image on a medium comprising:
a hollow drum means having an internal surface, at least a portion of which
is cylindrical, for holding said medium, said cylindrical portion of said
drum means having a longitudinal axis passing through the center of said
cylindrical portion of said drum means;
a first member;
a rotating second member mechanically coupled to said first member, said
second member having a radius orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said
hollow drum means;
at least one energy source for providing a plurality of modulated energy
beams directed towards said drum means;
means for rotating said second member;
means for translating said first member and said second member; and
means for providing electrical energy and data signals to said second
member.
20. The recording apparatus according to claim 19 further including said
energy beams being modulated in response to said data signals.
21. The recording apparatus according to claim 20 including said energy
beams being spaced around the periphery of said second member.
22. The recording apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said energy and
data providing means includes electromagnetic means for providing
electrical energy to said second member and capacitive coupling means for
providing data signals to said second member.
23. The recording apparatus according to claim 20 further including said
energy source being a plurality of laser diodes and said energy beams
being light beams.
24. The recording apparatus according to claim 20 further including means
for compensating for the distance between said second member and said
medium.
25. The recording apparatus according to claim 19 including at least a
portion of said second member being concentric to said first member.
26. The recording apparatus according to claim 25 including said energy
beams being spaced around the periphery of said second member.
27. The recording apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said energy and
data providing means includes electromagnetic means for providing
electrical energy to said second member and capacitive coupling means for
providing data signals to said second member.
28. The recording apparatus according to claim 25 further including said
energy source being a plurality of laser diodes and said energy beams
being light beams.
29. The recording apparatus according to claim 25 further including means
for compensating for the distance between said second member and said
media.
30. The recording apparatus according to claim 25 including at least a
portion of said first member being laterally adjacent to said second
member.
31. The recording apparatus according to claim 19 including at least a
portion of said first member being laterally adjacent to said second
member.
32. The recording apparatus according to claim 19 including said energy
beams being spaced around the periphery of said second member.
33. The recording apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said energy and
data providing means includes electromagnetic means for providing
electrical energy to said second member and capacitive coupling means for
providing data signals to said second member.
34. The recording apparatus according to claim 19 further including said
energy source being a plurality of laser diodes and said energy beams
being light beams.
35. The recording apparatus according to claim 19 further including means
for compensating for the distance between said second member and said
medium.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an internal drum recorder for exposing a medium
to an image formed by radiation, and more particularly, to an internal
drum recorder for exposing a medium to an array image formed by a number
of time varying radiation sources, such that the internal drum recorder
combined with the array imaging achieves both a high scan and high optical
efficiency with high productivity.
2. Background Information
A drum recorder is a device providing a means to place an image on a
photosensitive medium held in place on a drum while the image is
constructed using a time varying radiation source. The medium may, for
example, be composed of photographic film which is subsequently developed
and used to produce many copies by means of one of a number of well known
offset printing processes. The imaging source(s) may be various types of
devices, including laser devices producing visible or invisible (such as
infrared) light.
If a single light beam is used, drive means are provided to ensure that the
single beam is driven over the entire image area of the medium. In a
rotational direction, the light beam is moved across the width of the
image area by relative rotation between the drum and the light beam. In an
axial direction, the imaging source is moved along the length of the image
area by movement of the imaging source or by movement of a the imaging
source and a device deflecting the image from the source onto the medium.
If the light beam is moved along the axial direction in a series of steps,
the medium held on the drum is imaged by a series of concentric rings. If
the imaging source is moved along the axial direction at a constant speed,
the medium held on the drum is imaged according to portions of a single
helix. In either case, the light beam is varied with time to produce a
useful image. Depending on the particular recording medium, the process
for its development, and the process in which it is subsequently used, the
imaging source may be turned on for light areas and off for dark areas, or
vice versa.
Array imaging is a method for exposing the medium in a number of places
extending in two dimensions, instead of in a single dimension, as along a
helical track of a single time varying light beam. Array imaging may be
provided through the use of multiple imaging sources, as drive means
ensure that the multiple beams derived from the imaging sources, taken
together, are driven over the entire image area of the medium, as the
multiple beams are moved together to image parallel scan lines. Adjacent
scan lines may be separated by a distance allowing one or more tracks to
be placed between them, so that, for example, in a three beam system, the
first, fourth, and seventh scan lines are simultaneously written first;
the second, fifth, and eighth scan lines are simultaneously written next;
the third, sixth, and ninth scan lines are simultaneously written next;
etc. If the light beams are as close together, in the axial direction, as
the scan lines imaged onto the medium, a three beam system writes the
first, second, and third scan lines first, and the fourth, fifth, and
sixth scan lines next, etc. As with a single beam, the multiple light
beams may be moved together in a stepping pattern to produce rings, or at
a constant speed to produce helical patterns. Array imaging may
alternately be provided by deflecting a single light beam in a sub-scan
along a path which is essentially perpendicular to the path in which it is
otherwise driven.
In an external drum recorder, the medium on which the image is to be
recorded is fastened to the outside of a drum which is rotated during the
recording process. One or more imaging source(s) is/are moved along the
length of the drum (in the axial direction) to produce the image. External
drum recorders have been used to record images since the development of
the first photo facsimile machines by Bell Laboratories around 1928. This
method continues to be a preferred arrangement for precision recording,
allowing the production of large images having the same image quality at
all points. This device can have a high scan efficiency, with all of the
drum area except for a strip used to clamp the media in place being used
for imaging, and a high optical efficiency, with simple, efficient optics
being used to direct energy to the medium.
However, external drum recorders have several disadvantages. The loading of
a film media around the drum is complex, and the times required to bring
the drum up to the required rotational speed and to stop the drum reduce
the throughput, or productivity of the device. When the drum is brought up
to speed, the medium wrapped around it has a tendency to distort with
centrifugal forces. Vacuum systems used to improve the adhesion of the
medium to the drum require a complex, high friction coupling to connect a
stationary vacuum pump to the spinning drum. Also, with such systems, the
throughput of the device is further reduced by the time required to pump
down air within the drum cavity.
The internal drum recorder was developed as an alternative to alleviate
these problems. In such a device, the medium is fed into an arcuate
portion of an internal drum, to be held stationary while a spinner
rotating within the drum and scanning along the axis of the drum exposes
the media to radiation. Since the medium is stationary, the loading
mechanism is simpler and more reliable that of the external drum recorder.
If a vacuum system is used to hold the medium in place, it does not
require the rotary vacuum coupling of an external drum system. The loading
system can readily be configured to handle plate materials as media. The
spinner is allowed to rotate at a constant speed, even when the medium is
being removed and replaced, so there is no loss of productivity due
stopping the drum to replace the media.
However, the conventional internal drum recorder suffers from a
productivity problem associated with the way in which the image is
presented to the media. Specifically, a single beam, directed along the
axis of the drum and spinner is deflected toward the media by means of a
mirror surface on the spinner, which is placed at an angle with respect to
this axis. To obtain a commercially satisfactory throughput from a single
light beam, the spinner must rotate at a very high speed, which has
historically been increased with demands for higher productivity. While,
in 1974, a typical spinner operated at 6,000 rpm, in 1995, drum speeds are
above 20,000 rpm, with several internal drum devices being announced to
rotate at 30,000 rpm. At such high speeds, centrifugal forces, which vary
as the square of the rotational speed, can lead to problems in spinner
reliability, as well as to problems associated with the distortion of
optical elements and with vibration caused by inadequate dynamic balance.
Historically, internal drum recorder design has been based on a simply
supported beam with a carriage driven by linear motor or other means to
achieve controlled linear motion. A rotary scanning system is mounted upon
the carriage to direct focus laser radiation to the recording medium. The
combination of the linear drive and rotary scanning system causes the
locus of the focused laser beam to trace a cylindrical surface coincident
with the placement of the recording medium. This system, which is very
common, suffers from poor scan efficiency and a portion of the internal
drum is obscured by the simply supported beam of the linear drive
mechanism.
What is needed is an internal drum system that has high scan efficiency
without obscuration of the recording surface and provides means to deliver
data and power to the rotating scanning system in such a manner that array
imaging is possible at low rotational speeds. Such a device would
facilitate the combination of the simplicity and reliability of a
relatively slow speed device with a level of productivity equal to or
greater than that of a very high speed device.
A particular problem with building large optical devices of this type is
the difficulty of maintaining the correct optical alignment and critical
focal distances across the length of the device and throughout the time
period that it is used. To reduce mechanical strain and creep, critical
parts have been fabricated using exotic materials. Often, it is necessary
to operate the device in a temperature controlled environment to ensure
dimensional stability.
A number of autofocus techniques have been used to provide automatic
correction of distances within optical systems. For example, an autofocus
system used with compact disk players is described by D. K. Cohen, et al.,
in APPLIED OPTICS, Vol. 23, No. 4, Feb. 15, 1984, p 565.
What is needed is a way to make effective use of an autofocus technique to
solve the problem of maintaining proper conjugate distances for focussing
in a large internal drum recorder.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
An internal drum recorder is described, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,916, as
including a hollow tubular shaft containing optical elements for use in a
helicalscanning facsimile transceiver, supported horizontally by air
bearings and translated linearly along its major axis through cylindrical
reading and writing stations by means of a pneumatic cylinder and piston
coaxial with the shaft. An integral reaction powered air motor provides
shaft rotation, a first laser beam directed into the apparatus from a
first end thereof performs the reading operation, and a second laser beam,
directed into the apparatus from a second end thereof, opposite the first
end, performs the writing operation. Each of the laser beams is directed
along the axis of rotation of the optical elements. Both reading and
writing may take place within the same apparatus, or either of these
operations may be executed at a remote location.
While this apparatus has worked well for a number of years, and has both
high scan efficiency and high optical efficiency, it suffers from the
throughput limitations associated with the use of a single laser beam to
write the image. Further, the length of the unit in the linear scan
direction is greater than three times the length of the scan area.
Additionally, the optical scan elements are cantilevered, limiting the
system to short scan lengths. What is needed is an efficient way to
provide for writing on the stationary medium of an internal drum recorder
with multiple beams.
An internal drum recorder with multiple beams has not been introduced to
the market because in a conventionally constructed internal drum recorder
with multiple beams, the image of the multiple beam source rotates as a
function of angular rotation. Further, any commercial internal drum
recorders have limited scan efficiency due to obscuration of the scanning
beam by the linear traverse mechanism.
European patent application number 94304613.6 describes an internal drum
recorder which addresses the image rotation problem. The application
includes apparatus for mounting a medium in a generally cylindrical
configuration about a longitudinal axis, a multi-beam light source
assembly disposed at a first location along the longitudinal axis, and
including a plurality of light sources which are separated from each other
along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, light directing
apparatus operative to direct light received from the multiple beam light
source assembly to the recording substrate and apparatus for transmitting
light from the multi-beam light source assembly to the light directing
apparatus substantially without inaccuracies which are functions of the
period of rotation of the light directing apparatus about the longitudinal
axis.
In one embodiment of the European patent application, the beams produced by
a stationary plurality of light sources are caused to rotate about the
longitudinal axis as they are directed through a dove prism rotating about
the longitudinal axis at half the rotational speed of the light directing
apparatus. The dove prism includes refractive surfaces at opposite oblique
angles at each end and an internally reflective surface extending
therebetween parallel to the longitudinal axis. Light beams entering the
dove prism parallel to the longitudinal axis are refracted by the first
refractive surface toward the internally reflective surface, are reflected
therefrom, and are subsequently refracted to leave the prism in a
direction again parallel to the longitudinal axis. Thus, passage of an
image through a stationary dove prism causes the image to be inverted in a
direction perpendicular to the internally reflective surface. Passage of
an image through a dove prism rotated about an axis as described above
causes the image to rotate about the axis at twice the speed of rotation
of the prism. A particular disadvantage of this arrangement arises from
the difficulty of keeping the dove prism assembly and the light directing
apparatus correctly aligned and rotating at the proper speed ratio. The
patent application describes a fairly complex feedback mechanism for
correcting optical errors in this system.
In another embodiment of the European patent application, the radiation
sources are rotationally driven at the same speed as the light directing
apparatus. A rotating unit including the radiation sources may receive the
data used to control these sources over a wireless link. This embodiment
also has, as a disadvantage, the complexity of separate units which must
be driven at the same speed and in synchronization with one another. The
European patent application does not describe the mechanical arrangement
of the rotating units, nor does it describe a practical method for driving
and powering the rotating radiation sources and associated electronic
devices. What is needed is a simple way of configuring the radiation
sources so that they can direct energy to the medium, as the multiple
sources are rotated and translated as needed across the entire image area
of the medium.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,932 describes a multi-spot light modulator using a
laser diode. A single light pulse from the laser diode generates a
multi-spot image of a data pattern, with each spot corresponding to an
active bit of the data pattern. The ability of a pulsed laser diode to
generate a narrow light pulse is used to image an acoustic wave
corresponding to the data pattern without the normal degradation in
resolution caused by the motion of the acoustic wave. The preferred
embodiment of this device includes a laser diode and a focussing lens
placed to project the magnified image of the laser diode emitting aperture
onto an accousto-optic modulator.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,815 describes the use of an accousto optic deflector to
produce a number of sub-scans essentially perpendicular to an overall
scanning direction. This method is applied within a flat bed imaging
system having a movable platen, writing a pattern on the medium with a
single light beam which is moved to produce an array image having the
effect of a number of light beams.
The multi-spot light modulator described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,932 and the
light deflector of U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,815 are examples of the types of
devices which can be used to produce array images. Still, what is needed,
is a way to provide array imaging within an internal drum recorder that
eliminates rotation of the array image, has low rotational speeds, and has
high scan and optical efficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus
for recording an image on a medium including a hollow drum having an
internal surface, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, for holding
the medium. The cylindrical portion of the drum has a longitudinal axis
and through the drum. The apparatus is characterized by an energy source
for directing a plurality of energy beams at the medium and means for
translating the plurality of energy beams in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal axis. In addition, the apparatus is characterized by means,
mechanically linked to the translating means, for rotating the energy
beams about the longitudinal axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Two preferred embodiment of the subject invention are hereafter described
with specific reference being made to the following Figures, in which:
FIGS. 1 thru 3 are isometric views showing the geometric problems,
associated with deflecting multiple light beams within an internal drum
recorder, which are solved by using the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a vertical and longitudinal cross sectional view of an internal
drum recorder built in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a partial transverse cross sectional view, taken as indicated by
section lines V--V in FIG. 4 to show the condensing effects of cylindrical
optics within the spinner 70;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the internal drum recorder of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a transverse cross sectional view of a gripper bar within the
internal drum recorder of FIG. 4, taken as indicated by section lines
VII--VII in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the internal drum recorder
of FIG. 4, showing particularly the means used to open and close a gripper
mechanism within the gripper bar of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view of the internal
drum recorder of FIG. 4, showing particularly a solenoid mechanism used to
stop movement of the media sheet;
FIG. 10 is a vertical and longitudinal cross sectional view of an internal
drum recorder built in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 11 is a transverse cross sectional view of the internal drum recorder
of FIG. 10, taken as indicated by section lines XII--XII in FIG. 10; and
FIG. 12 is an isometric view showing the geometric problems, associated
with deflecting multiple light beams within an internal drum recorder,
which are solved by using the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring first to FIG. 1, in a conventional internal drum recorder, as
described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,916, a single light beam 10,
from a single light source 12, directed along a longitudinal axis 14, is
reflected by a mirror 16 as a reflected light beam 18 to the internal
surface of a drum 20, on which a light sensitive recording medium has been
placed. The mirror 16 forms part of a spinner 22, which is rotated about
the longitudinal axis 14 in the direction of arrow 23, so that the
reflected light beam 16 moves along a circular or helical track 24 on the
internal surface of the drum 20.
Also shown in FIG. 1 are a pair of additional light sources 26 and 28,
which produce light beams 30 and 32, respectively, in a parallel
relationship with the central light beam 10. In this example, all three
light sources 12, 26, 28 lie along a line 34 parallel to the reflected
beam 18. The two additional light beams 30 and 32 are reflected by mirror
16 as reflected beams 36 and 38, respectively, forming tracks 40 and 42
along the internal surface of drum 20.
In the example of FIG. 2, mirror 16 has rotated with spinner 22 to a point
at which the light beams 10, 30, 32 are reflected as light beams 18, 36,
38 extending in a direction perpendicular to the line 34 along which the
light sources 12, 26, 28. However, these three reflected beams 18, 36, 38
each move essentially along a single track 44.
In the example of FIG. 3, mirror 16 has rotated with spinner 22 to a
position 180 degrees from that of FIG. 1, with the three reflected light
beams 18, 36, 38 again extending parallel to the line 34 along which the
light sources 12, 26, 28 are aligned. However, the reflected light beam
36, emanating from light source 26, forms a track 46 extending farthest
from the light sources 12, 26, 28, while the reflected light beam 38,
emanating from light source 28, forms a track 48 closest to the light
sources 12, 26, 28. This is reversed from the example of FIG. 1, in which
the reflected light beam 36, emanating from light source 26, forms the
track 40 extending closest to the light sources 12, 26, 28, while the
reflected light beam 38, emanating from light source 28, forms a track 42
extending farthest from the light sources 12, 26, 28.
Thus, multiple stationary light beams cannot be used for imaging an
internal drum after reflection off a single spinning deflection mirror. A
light beam projected in alignment with the axis of mirror rotation is
deflected properly to produce a circular or helical track. However, a
light beam projected along either side of this central beam forms a track
extending along each side of the track formed by the central beam, with
this track crossing that of the central beam in two positions 180 degrees
apart.
FIG. 4 is a vertical, longitudinal cross section of an internal drum
recorder 50 built in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention, which overcomes the difficulties described above with respect
to FIGS. 1 3. Within the drum recorder 50, a laser 52 produces a light
beam 54 which is collimated within a lens assembly 56 for transmission
along the longitudinal axis 58 of the cylindrical internal surface 60 of a
drum 62. A mirror 64 deflects the light beam 66 from collimating lens
assembly 56 toward the internal surface 60, to which a media sheet 68 is
affixed. As a part of a spinner 70, the mirror 64 is rotated about the
longitudinal axis 58 while being translated in the longitudinal direction
indicated by arrow 71 (in a manner described hereafter), so that an entire
image area of the media 68 is scanned.
FIG. 5 is a partial transverse cross section, taken as indicated by section
lines V--V in FIG. 4 to show the condensing effects of a pair of
cylindrical lenses 72, 74 within the spinner 70. These lenses 72, 74 have
cylindrical surfaces, so the light reflected from mirror 64 is first
condensed by lens 72, and then collimated by lens 74, in the plane shown
in FIG. 5, without similar effects occurring in the plane shown by FIG. 4.
Referring to both FIGS. 4 and 5, this effect presents a narrow beam 76 at
the entrance of a multi-spot light modulator 78, which may be, for
example, of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,932. This type of
light modulator 78 is an accousto-optic modulator driven by an acoustic
wave formed when a data signal is used in a single frequency amplitude
modulation within an AM modulator circuit 80. This data signal represents
the light and dark areas of the desired developed image formed when the
latent image currently being written to the medium 68 is subsequently
developed. Within the light modulator 78, the acoustic wave break up the
input beam 76 into a number of sub-beams, which are individually either
diffracted within the light modulator 78, or allowed to pass straight
through without diffraction. The direction of travel of these sub-beams is
determined by the acoustic wave in the light modulator 78 in accordance
with the amplitude modulated signal provided by AM modulator circuit 80.
The spatial relationships between the acoustic wave in the light modulator
78 is such that, after the sub-beams 82 passing straight therethrough, and
through an external lens 84, are properly spaced apart to form the various
parallel helical or circular tracks used to form the latent image on
medium 68. Thus, in the example of FIG. 4, the diffracted sub-beams 84 are
used to write the latent image, while the sub-beams 86 undiffracted beams
are not used.
FIG. 6 is a vertical, transverse cross section of the internal drum
recorder of FIG. 4, being taken as indicated by section lines VI--VI in
FIG. 4.
Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, and referring as well to FIG. 6, spinner 70
includes a shaft 88, which is rotatably mounted on a carriage 90 by means
of a pair of bearings 92, 94. While these bearings 92, 94 are shown as
ball bearings, they may alternatively be bearings of another type, such as
air bearings. The drum 62 includes a slot extending between lower drum
edges 96, through which the carriage 90 descends to be slideably mounted
on a pair of rails 98, by means of three sliding bearings 100. The rails
98 are in turn mounted to extend between a front frame member 102 and a
rear frame member 104. The carriage 90 is driven along rails 98 by means
of a lead screw 106 turning within a mating nut 108 attached to the
carriage 90. The lead screw 106 is rotationally driven by a motor 110
through a pair of gears 112. Alternatively, a linear motor and control
system can be used to drive the carriage assembly.
In the example of FIG. 4, the image data, defining the desired latent image
to be written on the medium 68, is stored in a memory 114, which may be a
portion of the internal drum recorder 50 or a portion of a computer
connected to the drum recorder 50. To produce the signal driving amplitude
modulator circuit 80, this image data is matched with data describing the
longitudinal location of carriage 90 along the rails 98, in the direction
of arrow 71, together with the angular position of spinner 70 as it turns
about longitudinal axis 58. The location of carriage 90 along the rails 98
is determined within a location decoder circuit 116 from inputs provided
by a linear encoder 118, which travels with the carriage 90 along an
encoder scale 120, and by a rotary encoder 122, having a rotor turning
with motor drive shaft 124. The angular position of spinner 70 is
determined by a rotary encoder providing the relative angular position of
a rotating circuit board 126 rotating as part of spinner 70, and a non
rotating circuit board 128 fastened to carriage 90. Data describing the
angular position of spinner 70 is sent both to the location decoder 116
and to a motor drive circuit 130, from a rotary encoder 132, which, being
fastened to non rotating circuit board 128, reads an encoder scale 133
fastened to rotating circuit board 126.
The rotation of spinner 70 is brought about by a brushless DC motor 134 (or
any other conventional motor) including a rotor 136 affixed to the spinner
shaft 88, and a stator 138 affixed to a cylindrical cover 140 which is
concentric with the shaft 88. The stator 138 includes coils 142 over a
magnetic structure 144, while the rotor 136 includes material permanently
magnetized to present a number of magnetic poles to the stator 138.
Rotation of the rotor 136, and hence of spinner 70, occurs as various
coils 142 are energized through motor drive circuit 130. Using information
received from the rotary encoder 132, motor drive circuit 130 directs
electrical current from an external power supply 146 through the
particular coils 142 that are, for example, to be attracted by adjacent
magnetic poles within the rotor 136 to set and control the speed of the
motor.
Because of a relatively high rotational speed of spinner 70, as required to
achieve adequate throughput, and because of particular requirements for
high reliability and low electromagnetic noise, non contact methods are
chosen for transmitting both data signals and electrical power between non
rotating circuit board 128 and rotating circuit board 126. Thus, the
electrical power required to various circuits within spinner 70 is derived
from a brushless generator 150 having a stator 152 affixed to the
cylindrical cover 140 and a rotor 154 affixed to the shaft 88. The stator
152 is composed of a permanently magnetized material, while the rotor 154
includes various coils 156 wired to produce an output current within wires
158 extending through a hole 160 in the shaft 88. These wires 158 in turn
provide an input to a power supply 162 within the spinner 70 and rotating
therewith. The power supply 162 produces the voltage levels required for
the operation of various circuits within the spinner 70.
Within imaging logic 164, the location of spinner 70, as calculated within
location decoder 116, is used to determine which portion of the image data
stored in memory 114 should be used to drive the amplitude modulator 86.
When this determination is made, an image data signal is sent from imaging
logic 164 to a connector 166 plugged onto a header in non rotating circuit
board 128. Each circuit board 126, 128 includes a number of concentric
conductive rings 168, with the rings 168 of non rotating circuit board 128
being disposed adjacently to the rings of 168 rotating circuit board 126.
When the signals from imaging logic 164 are applied to the rings 168 of
non rotating circuit board 128, capacitive coupling causes corresponding
signals to appear on corresponding rings 168 of rotating circuit board
126. The rings of rotating circuit board 126 are connected to a detecting
circuit 169, which detects the presence of signals from imaging logic 164,
and which provides an input to amplitude modulating circuit 80 in
accordance with such signals. In this way, all of the signals needed for
spot modulation of the laser beam 66 are brought into the spinner 70
through capacitive coupling.
The rotary encoder 132 determining the angular position of spinner 70 may
also operate by capacitive coupling as well, operating in accordance with
changes in capacitance measured at various conductive segments arrayed
around an annular portion of the rotating circuit board 126 to form the
rotary scale 133. Alternately, rotary encoder 132 may be configured as an
optical encoder viewing a rotary scale 133 with various optically
identifiable markings. Optical encoders of this type are well known to
those of ordinary skill in the art of building such devices.
A media feed assembly 170, for directing individual sheets of media into
the drum 62, will now be described, with particular reference being made
to FIG. 6. The media feed assembly includes a drawer 172, in which a stack
174 of media sheets is placed, with each media sheet having its imaging
layer exposed upward. Whenever a media feed operation is to be performed,
removing a media sheet from the drum 62, and/or placing a new media sheet
within the drum 62, the carriage 90 is moved to the front of the recorder
50, to the position indicated by dashed lines 173 in FIG. 4. In this
position, the descending portion of carriage 90 does not interfere with
the movement of media sheets into, or out of, the drum 62.
When a new sheet of media is required during operation of the internal drum
recorder 50, the uppermost sheet in stack 174 is picked by a vacuum pick
mechanism 176, which also drives the leading edge of the media sheet into
the drum 62. The vacuum pick mechanism 176 includes a vacuum bar 178
having a number of vacuum cups 180 in communication with a flexible hose
(not shown) selectively applying a vacuum through the cups 180. The vacuum
bar 178 is slideably mounted on a pivoting bracket 182, with a shaft 184
affixed to the bar 178 at each end thereof sliding through the bracket 182
within an aligned pair of holes (not shown). The vacuum bar 178 is moved
along each shaft 184 by a lead screw 186 engaging an internally threaded
hole (not shown) in a drive block 188 fastened to the shaft 184. Each lead
screw 186 is rotated by a motor 190 fastened to pivoting bracket 182, with
the two motors 190 being electrically synchronized to provide similar
movement of each end of vacuum bar 178. The pivoting bracket 182 is in
turn pivotally mounted on a pin 192 at each end of drawer 172, being
pivoted by a solenoid or small motor (not shown). Each shaft 184 also lies
outward from the closest end of drawer 172, so that the shafts and
associated drive blocks 188 can move downward past the drawer 172 as the
bracket 182 is pivoted upward.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, to pick a single sheet of media from stack 174,
vacuum bar 178 is held downward, with vacuum cups 180 in contact with the
stack 174, as a vacuum is applied through the cups 180, attaching the top
sheet of media within the stack to each cup. The pivoting bracket 182 is
then pivoted upward, so that vacuum bar 178 is brought into the position
indicated by dashed lines 194, lifting the leading portion of the top
sheet of media. Next, the lead screw drive motors 190 are turned on to
move vacuum bar 178 into the position indicated by dashed lines 196,
moving the leading edge of the top sheet of media into engagement with a
gripper bar 200 extending along inner surface 60 of drum 62 from a gripper
wheel 204. At an end opposite its cantilever attachment to the gripper
wheel 204, the gripper bar 200 is supported by a rotatably mounted roller
205 operating along inner surface 60 of the drum 64.
FIG. 7 is a transverse cross sectional view of the gripper bar 200, taken
as indicated by section lines VII--VII in FIG. 4. The gripper bar 200
includes a support bar 206 and a torque bar 208, which includes a rod
portion 210 rotatably mounted within a longitudinal slot 212 of support
bar 206 and a number of spaced apart eccentric disks 214 together with
slots 216 of support bar 206. The eccentric disks 214 may be attached to
the rod portion 208, or both the disks 214 and the rod 208 may be integral
parts of the torque bar 208. A spring clip 218 is attached to support bar
206 at a first end 220, and is formed downward to form a contact surface
222 holding a leading edge 224 of media sheet 68 against a lower clip 226.
This clamping action is dependent on the rotational position of torque bar
208. With the torque bar 208 in the position shown, eccentric disks 214
hold the spring clip 218 upward, so that an opening is provided between
contact surface 222 and the underlying lower clip 226. When the torque bar
208 is rotated from this position in the direction of arrow 228, the
movement of eccentric disks 214 releases the upward force on spring clip
218, allowing contact surface 222 to close against leading edge 224 of the
media sheet 68. The spring clip 218 may extend continuously across the
portion of gripper bar 200 into which medium leading edge 224 is driven,
or two or more relatively short spring clips 218 may be used to grasp
discrete portions of the leading edge 224.
The mechanism used to rotate the gripper bar 200 around the inside of drum
62 (shown in FIG. 4), so that the media sheet 64 is brought into place for
recording with its leading edge in engagement with the gripper bar 200,
will now be discussed, with continuing reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. The
support bar 206 of gripper bar 200 is fastened and at a rear end to rear
gripper wheel 204, and is supported at a front end by roller 205. Gripper
wheel 204 is rotatably mounted by means of a bearing 234 affixed therein,
turning on a hollow shaft 236 extending inward from rear frame member 104.
An opening 238 within the shaft 236 allows the passage therethrough of
laser beam 66. Gripper wheel 204 includes gear teeth 240 extending around
its periphery in engagement with a drive gear 242 rotationally driven by a
gripper drive motor 246.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the internal drum recorder
of FIG. 4, showing particularly the means used to effect rotation of the
torque bar 208 relative to the support bar 206. An end of torque bar 208
extends outward through a hole (not shown) in rear support wheel 204,
being attached to a crank 250 having a pin 252 sliding within a groove 254
extending around an inner surface of a rear drum support plate 255.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the transition of the groove 254 radially
outward, in the direction indicated by arrow 256 causes the torque bar 208
to be rotated in the direction of arrow 228, closing contact surface 222
against the leading edge 224 of media sheet 68.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse cross section of the internal drum
recorder 50, showing particularly a solenoid mechanism 260 used to stop
movement of the media sheet 68 by contacting the leading edge 224 thereof.
When the solenoid mechanism 260 is not electrically activated, a plunger
262 extends into the drum 62, being held therein by a compression spring
264, to block the passage thereby of the leading edge portion 224 of media
sheet 68. When the solenoid mechanism 260 is electrically activated, the
flow of current through a coil 266 causes the withdrawal of the plunger
262 from the interior of drum 62. The internal drum recorder man include
one or several of these solenoid mechanisms 260.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, while the groove 254 is preferably configured
so that the leading edge portion 224 of media sheet 68 is released from
spring clip(s) 218 as the solenoid plunger 262 is encountered, it is also
desirable to configure the thickness and shape of spring clip(s) 218 so
that the leading edge portion 224 is pulled away from contact area 222,
overcoming the frictional forces developed between this area and lower
clip 226, when the extended solenoid plunger 262 is encountered.
Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 6, drum 62 is preferably formed as a curved
vacuum platen, with cylindrical inner surface 60 having a number of spaced
apart small holes extending into a cavity 270, which is selectively
connected to a vacuum when media sheet 68 is to be held in place, or to
the atmosphere when media sheet 68 is to be moved in contact with the
inner surface 60. Media can also be formed to the inner surface of the
drum by keeping it in compression without the use of vacuum.
Continuing to refer to refer to FIG. 6 and referring again to FIG. 7, the
various operations occurring as a media sheet is selected and moved into
place within the drum 62 will now be described. First, vacuum pick
mechanism 176 is moved downward, bringing vacuum cups 180 into contact
with the top sheet of media stack 174, and a partial vacuum is established
through the cups 180, so that the top sheet can be picked up. Next, the
vacuum pick mechanism 176 is rotated to bring vacuum bar 178 into the
position indicated by dashed lines 194. Then lead screw drive motors 190
are turned on to move the vacuum bar 178 into the position indicate by
dashed lines 196, with the leading edge portion 224 of the media sheet 68
in contact with gripper bar 200.
At this point, the spring clip 218 is held open so that the leading edge
portion 224 is pushed under contact surface 222. Gripper drive motor 246
is turned on to drive the gripper bar 200 in the direction indicated by
arrow 274, with the lead screw drive motors continuing to drive vacuum bar
178, so that leading edge 224 stays in contact with gripper bar 200 as the
spring clip 218 is closed by movement past the transition in groove 254
(shown in FIG. 8). Next, the vacuum connection to vacuum cups 180 is
released, and lead screw drive motors 190 are turned on to return vacuum
bar 178 to the position indicated by dashed lines 194. Continued movement
of gripper bar 200 in the direction of arrow 274 brings the media sheet 68
completely onto the inner surface 60 of drum 62. Movement of the media
sheet 68 is stopped by contact of the leading edge 224 with the extended
plunger(s) 262 of solenoid mechanism(s) 260. The gripper bar 200 is
returned to the position indicated in FIG. 6, with the spring clip 218
being opened by a second transition in groove 254. At this point, the drum
cavity 270 is connected to a vacuum to hold the media sheet 68 in place
against the drum inner surface 60.
Continuing to refer to FIGS. 6 and 7, gripper bar 200 includes provisions
for pushing a media sheet 68 out of the drum 62. Lower clip 226 extends to
include one or more tabs 276 extending into one or more corresponding
grooves 278 in inner surface 60 of drum 64. When the gripper bar 200 is
returned to the position of FIG. 6, as described above, it is not moved as
far as the trailing edge of the media sheet 68 held in place within the
drum. When the process of exposing the media sheet 68 to a light pattern
developed within the drum 64 is completed, the gripper bar 200 is again
moved in the direction of arrow 274, so that the trailing edge of the
media sheet 68 is caught between an underlying tab 276 and an
overextending tab 280. With the trailing edge of media sheet 68 positioned
in this way rotational movement of gripper bar 200 is continued, as the
sheet 68 is pushed outward, falling into an output tray 282. This motion
of gripper bar 200 is then stopped with the bar 200 again in the position
indicated on FIG. 6, awaiting the delivery of a new media sheet by the
vacuum pick mechanism 176.
The groove 278 may extend circumferentially around inner drum surface 60,
or, if tab 276 is sufficiently flexible, it may terminate, past the point
at which the trailing edge of media sheet 68 is encountered, with a ramp
surface deflecting the tab 276 inward to the radial level of the remainder
of inner surface 60.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, internal drum recorder 50 preferably also
includes a focussing mechanism which is occasionally used to perform
automatic adjustments of the geometry of the drum 62. This function is of
value because the depth of focus is an internal drum recorder is small,
depending particularly on the optics used to focus a beam image on media
sheet 68. For example, the surface of the media sometimes must be held
within a tolerance range of 200 microns. Such tolerances significantly
increase the cost of building a drum assembly. Unfortunately, even when
such a drum is constructed accurately, various factors, such as shipping,
handling, and temperature variations may introduce dimensional variations
affecting performance. Furthermore, it is particularly desirable to
provide a method allowing the inner diameter of the drum to be adjusted
easily to compensate for changes in the thickness of various types of
sheet media which can be used in the drum recorder 50. Thus, an autofocus
feature is provided by mounting a focus detector 284 within the spinner 70
and by providing a number of actuators 286 which are used to change the
radial distance from the longitudinal axis 58, about which the spinner
rotates, and inner drum surface 60.
The focus detector may be, for example, of a type described by Donald K.
Cohen, Wing Ho Gee, M. Ludeke, and Julian Lewkowicz in APPLAED OPTICS,
Vol. 23, No. 4, Feb. 15, 1984, p. 565, which is commonly used in providing
an auto focus function in compact disk optical players. As shown in FIG.
5, this method is implemented by using a single light beam 288 for focus
detection. A polarizing beam splitter 290 is placed in the path of this
light beam 288, so that a portion of the light reflected from the surface
of media sheet 68 (or of a reflective sheet substituting for the media
sheet) is reflected to the focus detector 284. This detector 284 may
include an astigmatic lens and a quadrant detector to provide an
indication of whether the surface of media sheet 68 is in focus, too
close, or too far away. Additional polarizing filters may be added at
either side of polarizing beam splitter 290. The outputs of detector 284
are fed back through adjacent pairs of rings 168 from rotating circuit
board 126 to non rotating circuit board 128, and are directed within non
rotating circuit board 128, to connector 166. From connector 166, these
signals are directed to focus logic 292.
The drum 62 is particularly configured to allow the independent variation
of the distances between the longitudinal axis 58, about which the spinner
70 rotates, and individual portions of internal drum surface 60. The drum
62 is externally fastened to a number of struts 294, each of which extends
between a pair of actuators 286, fastened respectively to a front drum
support plate 296 and rear drum support plate 255. Both drum support
plates 296, 255 are fastened to a left support plate 298 along with the
frame members 102, 104. Since the struts 294 are fastened to the outer
surface of drum 62, a number of posts 295 extend within the drum 62
adjacent to each strut 294, tying inner drum surface 60 to each movement
of the strut 294. Each actuator 286 is configured to move in a direction
which is radial relative to the longitudinal axis 58. The maximum
excursion of each actuator is limited to, for example, 5 millimeters or
less. This maximum excursion may be limited primarily by the maximum
expected difference between the thicknesses of plates to be used. Each
actuator 286 may be of a thermal, mechanical, or piezoelectric type.
Despite the use of a separate, particular sub-beam 288 for the autofocus
function, this function cannot be provided during the process of imaging
media sheet 68; the light used for autofocus would form a line along the
media sheet. For example, the autofocus process may be applied several
times during the day to compensate for dimensional variations due to
mechanical creep and thermal expansion, and, most importantly, whenever a
different type of media, having a different thickness, is to be used.
During the autofocus process, spinner 70 is rotated by motor 134 and,
optionally, translated by lead screw drive motor 110. These motors may be
operated at the same speeds otherwise used for imaging, or they may be
operated at different speeds for optimizing the focussing process. During
this process, focus logic 292 uses inputs from location decoder 116 to
determine, both the rotational and position of the spinner 70 and the
translational position of carriage 90 along the shafts 98. As focus
detector 284 provides an output signal occurring on a real time basis,
focus logic 292 uses data from location decoder 116 to determine the
particular actuator 286 which must be operated to adjust the radial
distance presently associated with the signal. When focus detector 284
indicates this radial distance is too great, the actuator 286 is operated
to reduce this distance. When focus detector 284 indicates that this
radial distance is too short, the actuator 286 is operated to increase
this distance. With the rotation of spinner 70, the focal distances are
repeatedly checked, and are brought into a desired range by continued
operation of the associated actuators 286.
In one mode of operation the actuators 286 attached to front drum support
plate 296 are each used to bring all of the struts 294 into proper
alignment at this plate 296 with the carriage 90 moved so that spinner 70
is near this plate 296. Next, lead screw drive motor 110 is used to move
carriage 90 so that spinner 70 is near rear end plate 255, and the
actuators 286 attached to this plate 255 are used to bring each strut 294
into proper alignment at this plate 255.
Certain aspects of the autofocus process are dependent upon the particular
type of device chosen for the actuators 286. A mechanical actuator using,
for example, a differential screw mechanism is chosen, maintains the
position to which it is driven until it is driven to a new position. On
the other hand, various types of actuators require the continued
application of a driving signal to maintain a position. If such a
continued driving signal is required, the necessary drive signals are
encoded and stored in memory 114. If non volatile storage is used for this
purpose, it is unnecessary to repeat the focussing process after the
recorder 50 is powered on.
FIGS. 10 and 11 are views of a second embodiment 350 of the present
invention, with FIG. 10 being a longitudinal cross sectional view thereof,
and with FIG. 11 being a transverse cross sectional view of a spinner 352
and a slider 354 therein.
In second embodiment 350, a media sheet 356, held against an internal
surface 358 of a drum 360 having an axis 359, is imaged by a number of
individually switched laser diodes 362 extending in a helical pattern
inward from the peripheral surface 364 of the spinner 352. Each laser
diode 362 has associated therewith an optical package 363 focussing energy
361 from the diode 362 on the medium 363a held within the drum 360. The
spinner 352 is rotatably mounted on slider 354 by means of a pair of
bearings 366. While these bearings 366 are shown as ball bearings, other
types of bearings, such as air bearings, may be used. The slider 354 is
moved along a single central shaft 367. The spinner 352 is rotationally
driven by a brushless DC motor 368 including a stator 370 affixed to the
slider 354 and a rotor 372 affixed to a cylindrical portion 374 of the
spinner 352. The rotor 372 includes a number of permanently magnetized
poles which are directed inward toward the stator 370. Various coils 376
are electrically driven by a motor drive circuit 378, using electrical
power from a power supply 380 in accordance with signals provided by a
rotary encoder 382, which is responsive to rotation of the spinner 352,
being directed at an encoder scale 384 extending around a rotating circuit
board 386 forming part of the spinner 352. This method assures that coils
376 are switched on and off with the adjacent passage thereby of
magnetized poles in rotor 372, providing the start and continuation of
rotary motion.
Slider 364 includes internal surfaces 388 engaging the central shaft 367
and a key portion 390 extending into a mating slot 392 of the shaft 367.
These internal surfaces 388 may be formed, for example, using rolling,
recirculating elements or as an air bearing. This arrangement allow
longitudinal movement of the slider 354 along the shaft 367, in and
opposite the direction indicated by arrow 394, while preventing rotation
of the slider 354 on the shaft 367.
Longitudinal movement of the slider 354, and hence of spinner 352 rotating
thereon, is provided by a linear motor 400, consisting of a circuit card
402 including one or more circuit coils, fastened to extend into shaft 367
from slider key 390, and a magnet channel 404, fastened within the shaft
367. The magnet channel 404 includes a number of permanent magnets 406,
arranged on each side of circuit card 402 in alternating polarities, so
that oppositely directed magnetic fields are presented to the coil(s) of
circuit card 402 as the slider 354 moves along shaft 367. A linear encoder
408 reading an encoder scale 410 extending along a side of magnet channel
404, provides an output signal to the linear motor drive circuit 412,
which switches the coil(s) of circuit card 402 as the various positions of
magnets 406 are passed by the coils, thereby starting and continuing
longitudinal motion in the direction desired. Power is directed to linear
motor drive circuit 412 from power supply 380 in a manner indicating the
desired direction of movement.
The outputs of rotary encoder 382 and linear encoder 408 are also provided
to a location decoder circuit 414, which in turn provides an output to an
imaging logic circuit 416. The imaging logic circuit 416 accesses image
information from a memory 418 to determine when the individual laser
diodes 362 should be switched on or off to provide the desired latent
image on the surface of media sheet 356.
As previously discussed with respect to FIG. 4, like the first embodiment
50 of the present invention, this second embodiment 350 includes a non
rotating circuit board 420 adjacent to a rotating circuit board 386, with
a number of capacitively coupled, concentric pairs of conductive rings
422, between which data is exchanged without mechanical contact. In the
second embodiment 350, the outputs of imaging logic 416 are driven across
various of these pairs of rings 422 from the non rotating circuit board
420 to the rotating circuit board 386. From rotating circuit board 386,
the outputs of imaging logic 416 provide inputs to diode driving circuits
424, which switches the individual laser diodes 362. Since the various
laser diodes 362 are arrayed around the peripheral surface 364, the
position of each diode 362 is considered in determining the timing at
which it is switched. This driving circuit 424, being. The diode driving
circuit 424 is mounted to rotate as a portion of spinner 352.
The electrical power requirements of diode driving circuit 424 are met by a
generator 426 which uses a portion of the power developed by the motor
368. The generator 426 includes a rotor 428 having a coil 430 connected to
diode driving circuit 424. Various power supply elements (not shown), such
as a voltage regulator and a filter, may be included in this connection.
The stator 432 of generator 426 includes various permanently magnetized
poles which cause the current flow within coil 430 as this coil 430 is
rotated.
Also as previously described with respect to FIG. 4, like the first
embodiment 50 of the present invention, this second embodiment 350
includes a focus detector 434, which is used occasionally to correct the
focal distances from the spinner 352 to the surface of medium 363a.
through the operation of a number of actuators 436 moving struts 440
attached to the drum 360. In the example of FIG. 10, the focus detector
434 is illuminated by light directed to the media 363a, or a reflective
surface being substituted for the media, from a dedicated laser diode 436.
Light from this diode 436 travels through focussing optics 438 and is
reflected within a polarizing beamsplitter 440 into the detector 434. The
output of the focus detector 434 is used by focus drive logic 442 to
control the actuators 436. Depending on the type of devices used for
actuators 436, electronic memory may be required to hold the positions
determined during the focussing process, which occurs as generally
described above with respect to FIG. 4.
This alternative embodiment 350 preferably includes a gripper bar 444,
which operates generally as the gripper bar 200 of the first embodiment,
as described with respect to FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, facilitating the insertion
of individual sheets of medium 363a within the drum 360 and their removal
therefrom.
In this embodiment 350, a significant advantage arises from the central
mounting and driving of spinner 352. It is unnecessary to move the spinner
to permit movement of the medium 363a. Furthermore, the gripper bar 444
can be moved completely around the shaft 367 without interfering with the
spinner 352 in any position. The gripper bar 444 is mounted at each end on
a gripper wheel 446, which is turned by meshing engagement with a drive
gear 448 attached to a shaft 450. At one end, the shaft 450 is driven by a
motor 452.
FIG. 12 is a transverse elevational view of an alternative slider 456 for
use in the second embodiment 350. This slider 456 is slideably mounted on
a pair of shafts 458 by means of bearings 460, which may, for example, be
linear bearings using rolling elements, such as balls or rollers, or which
may be air bearings. A linear motor 400 is generally as described above
with respect to FIG. 10. An encoder 462 moving with the slider 456 reads
an encoder scale 464 atop the magnet channel of linear motor 400.
While the invention has been described in its preferred forms or
embodiments with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this
description has been given only by way of example and that numerous
changes in the details of construction, fabrication and use, including the
combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
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